UTSA wide receiver Kerry Thomas Jr., left, pulls in a pass for a touchdown as Colorado State linebacker Kevin Davis, center, and defensive back Demontrie Taylor cover in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016, in Fort Collins, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) less

UTSA wide receiver Kerry Thomas Jr., left, pulls in a pass for a touchdown as Colorado State linebacker Kevin Davis, center, and defensive back Demontrie Taylor cover in the first half of an NCAA college ... more

Colorado State linebacker Kevin Davis, right, sacks UTSA quarterback Dalton Sturm late in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016, in Fort Collins, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) less

Colorado State linebacker Kevin Davis, right, sacks UTSA quarterback Dalton Sturm late in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016, in Fort Collins, Colo. (AP Photo/David ... more

Photo: David Zalubowski, Associated Press

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Protecting against USM's pass rush will be vital for Roadrunners

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During early film study, UTSA players have noticed Southern Mississippi's pass rush as perhaps the Golden Eagles' biggest defensive strength.

It could provide a huge challenge for the leaky Roadrunners' offensive front in Saturday's game at the Alamodome.

USM racked up seven sacks last week against Rice and they have totaled 17 for the season. It leads Conference USA and ranks 17th nationally.

Video: Wilson and lose to win video

Interestingly, most of the rush comes from USM's front four. Nose tackle Dylan Bradley leads them with five sacks, while hybrid rush end/linebacker Ja'Borie Poole has chipped in with 3½ and defensive end Xavier Thigpen and hybrid rush end/linebacker Darian Yancey each have two.

In USM defensive coordinator Tony Pecoraro's nomenclature, the hybrid spot is called "the Wolf." The Roadrunners only hope they can keep them from pouncing on their quarterbacks in Saturday's game.

UTSA has struggled to this point this season, ranking 123rd nationally with an average of four per game allowed after ranking last in the nation in sacks allowed last season.

That total must improve if the Roadrunners have any hopes of success against the Golden Eagles, senior UTSA tackle Jevonte Domond said.

"They are very fast and high-motored," Domond said. "They won't stop on the play until the whistle is blown. I know they are going to play from the snap to whistle every time."

Video: Demond video on USM defense

And the fact that USM relies more on a bull rush from its defensive front rather than blitzing linebackers has emphasized that the UTSA offensive line has its work cut out in Saturday's game.

"It's the same thing every week," Domond said. "You've got to block the front line. Every game is a challenge and there are good players on every team. Southern Miss is no different."